The purpose of this study is to find out the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combined therapy of lenalidomide (Revlimid®) and Granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor and CD40 Ligand expressed in the K562 cell line (GM.CD40L) bystander vaccine. This research is also being done to see how well the combination of these drugs works to fight myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Participants will take two 5 mg capsules of lenalidomide per day for 21 days followed by 7 days of rest. This 28 day period is considered 1 cycle. Participants will receive 4 treatment cycles with 28 days in each cycle. Those participants showing a clinical response after 4 cycles of treatment may continue to receive lenalidomide as a single agent for additional cycles at the treating Physicians discretion. During each 28 day cycle participants will also receive GM.CD40L bystander vaccination injections in 2-week intervals on days 8 and 22 for a total of 8 immunizations during the 4 cycle treatment period.

Drug: lenalidomide

Patients will take 10 mg capsules of lenalidomide per day for 21 days followed by 7 days of rest. This 28 day period is considered 1 cycle. Patients will receive 4 treatment cycles with 28 days in each cycle.

Other Name: Revlimid®

Biological: bystander vaccine

In addition to lenalidomide, during each 28 day cycle patients will also receive GM.CD40L bystander vaccination injections in 2-week intervals on days 8 and 22 for a total of 8 immunizations during the 4 cycle treatment period.

Other Name: GM.CD40L

Detailed Description:

Fixed dose of lenalidomide at 10 mg/day, Days 1- 21 of 28 days of treatment cycle, and 4 dose escalations of GM.CD40L vaccine: 10 X 10^6 GM.CDL cells per vaccination; 30 X 10^6 GM.CDL cells per vaccination; 60 X 10^6 GM.CDL cells per vaccination; 120 X 10^6 GM.CDL cells per vaccination; Vaccination at 2-week intervals, on days 8 and 22, for a total of four 28-day cycles.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Must understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent form

Age ≥18 years at the time of signing the informed consent form

Able to comply with the study visit schedule and assessments required by the protocol

Documented diagnosis of MDS with subtypes of Refractory Anemia with Excess Blast 1 (RAEB-1) (myeloblast ≥5-9%) or Refractory Anemia with Excess Blast 2 (RAEB-2) (myeloblast ≥10-19%) or intermediate 2, Acute myelogenous leukemia with bone marrow myeloblast >30% and high risk defined by International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) scores or refractory anemia with excess blast in transformation (RAEB-t) (myeloblast ≥ 20-30%) as per French-American-British Classification System (FAB) criteria. Any single or combination of cytogenetic abnormalities is allowed.

Study treatment can be offered as first line treatment as long as the available food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment options are explained by the treating physician and the participant declines such options.

Study treatment can be offered to patients who have failed, cannot tolerate or do not wish to continue other therapeutic agents for MDS.

Prior chemotherapy is allowed but should be off chemotherapy of any kind for at last 4 weeks prior to initiation of study therapy.

Must be able to provide adequate bone marrow (BM) aspirate and biopsy specimens for histopathological evaluation, cytogenetic analysis and tissue banking during the screening procedure.

Females of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 50 mIU/mL within 10 14 days prior to and again within 24 hours of starting lenalidomide and must either commit to continued abstinence from heterosexual intercourse or begin TWO acceptable methods of birth control, one highly effective method and one additional effective method AT THE SAME TIME, at least 28 days before she starts taking lenalidomide. FCBP must also agree to ongoing pregnancy testing. Men must agree to use a latex condom during sexual contact with a FCBP even if they have had a successful vasectomy. All patients must be counseled at a minimum of every 28 days about pregnancy precautions and risks of fetal exposure.

Both male and female and members of all races and ethnic groups are eligible for this study.

Clinically significant anemia due to factors such as iron, B12 or folate deficiencies, autoimmune or hereditary hemolysis or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Use of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, growth factors, or experimental agents (agents that are not commercially available) for the treatment of MDS within 28 days of the start of drug treatment.

Prior history of malignancy other than MDS (except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix) unless the participant has been free of disease for ≥3 years.

Any serious medical condition or psychiatric illness that will prevent the participant from signing the informed consent form or will place the participant at unacceptable risk if he/she participates in the study.

Pregnant or nursing females.

Use of corticosteroids greater than the equivalent of prednisone 10mg daily within 4 weeks of the first vaccination, and on-going need for corticosteroids greater than the equivalent of prednisone 10 mg daily

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00840931